Sean M. Lynn-Jones

May 15, 2013

Kenneth Waltz, 1924–2013

Announcement

By Sean M. Lynn-Jones, Editor, International Security; Series Editor, Belfer Center Studies in International Security

Kenneth Waltz, who was arguably the most influential scholar of international relations of the past half-century, passed away on May 13, 2013. Waltz's influence is particularly evident in the pages of International Security, to which he was also a contributor. To commemorate his legacy, we are making two of his articles available online.

October 2004

Offense, Defense, and War

Book

By Steven E. Miller, Director, International Security Program; Editor-in-Chief, International Security; Co-Principal Investigator, Project on Managing the Atom, Sean M. Lynn-Jones, Editor, International Security; Series Editor, Belfer Center Studies in International Security, Owen R. Coté, Editor, International Security and Michael E. Brown, Editorial Board Member and Former Co-Editor, Quarterly Journal: International Security

This collection presents a comprehensive overview of offense-defense theory. It includes contending views on the theory and some of the most recent attempts to refine and test it.

July 2000

Rational Choice and Security Studies

Book

By Michael E. Brown, Editorial Board Member and Former Co-Editor, Quarterly Journal: International Security, Owen R. Coté, Editor, International Security, Sean M. Lynn-Jones, Editor, International Security; Series Editor, Belfer Center Studies in International Security and Steven E. Miller, Director, International Security Program; Editor-in-Chief, International Security; Co-Principal Investigator, Project on Managing the Atom

Rational Choice and Security Studies presents opposing views on the merits of formal rational choice approaches as they have been applied in the subfield of international security studies. This volume includes Stephen Walt's article "Rigor or Rigor Mortis? Rational Choice and Security Studies," critical replies from prominent political scientists, and Walt's rejoinder to his critics.

Global Dangers: Changing Dimensions of International Security

Book

By Steven E. Miller, Director, International Security Program; Editor-in-Chief, International Security; Co-Principal Investigator, Project on Managing the Atom and Sean M. Lynn-Jones, Editor, International Security; Series Editor, Belfer Center Studies in International Security

Military Strategy and the Origins of the First World War

Book

By Stephen Van Evera, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 1978-1981 and 1984-1987; Editorial Board Member, Quarterly Journal: International Security, Steven E. Miller, Director, International Security Program; Editor-in-Chief, International Security; Co-Principal Investigator, Project on Managing the Atom and Sean M. Lynn-Jones, Editor, International Security; Series Editor, Belfer Center Studies in International Security

Conventional Forces amd American Defense Policy

Book

By Steven E. Miller, Director, International Security Program; Editor-in-Chief, International Security; Co-Principal Investigator, Project on Managing the Atom and Sean M. Lynn-Jones, Editor, International Security; Series Editor, Belfer Center Studies in International Security

January 2010

"Preface to Going Nuclear"

Book Chapter

By Sean M. Lynn-Jones, Editor, International Security; Series Editor, Belfer Center Studies in International Security

"Concern over nuclear proliferation is likely to increase in the coming years. Many observers believe that the spread of nuclear weapons to one or two more states will trigger a wave of new nuclear states. More states may turn to nuclear power to meet their energy needs as other sources of energy become more costly or undesirable because they emit carbon that contributes to global climate change. As more nuclear reactors are built, the world's stock of nuclear expertise and fissionable materials is likely to grow."

March 1998

"Why the United States Should Spread Democracy"

Discussion Paper

By Sean M. Lynn-Jones, Editor, International Security; Series Editor, Belfer Center Studies in International Security

After the Cold War ended, promoting the international spread of democracy seemed poised to replace containment as the guiding principle of U.S. foreign policy. Scholars, policymakers, and commentators embraced the idea that democratization could become America''s next mission. In recent years, however, critics have argued that spreading democracy may be unwise or even harmful. This paper addresses this debate.

"International Security Studies After the Cold War: An Agenda for the Future"

Discussion Paper

By Sean M. Lynn-Jones, Editor, International Security; Series Editor, Belfer Center Studies in International Security

2010

Contending with Terrorism: Roots, Strategies, and Responses

International Security Reader

By Michael E. Brown, Editorial Board Member and Former Co-Editor, Quarterly Journal: International Security, Owen R. Coté, Editor, International Security, Sean M. Lynn-Jones, Editor, International Security; Series Editor, Belfer Center Studies in International Security and Steven E. Miller, Director, International Security Program; Editor-in-Chief, International Security; Co-Principal Investigator, Project on Managing the Atom

Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, scholars and policy analysts in national security have turned their attention to terrorism, considering not only how to prevent future attacks but also the roots of the problem. This book offers some of the latest research in terrorism studies. The contributors examine the sources of contemporary terrorism, discussing the impact of globalization, the influence of religious beliefs, and the increasing dissatisfaction felt by the world’s powerless. They consider the strategies and motivations of terrorists, offering contending perspectives on whether or not terrorists can be said to achieve their goals; explore different responses to the threat of terrorism, discussing such topics as how the United States can work more effectively with its allies; and contemplate the future of al-Qaida, asking if its networked structure is an asset or a liability.

The essays in Contending with Terrorism address some of the central topics in the analysis of contemporary terrorism. They promise to guide future policy and inspire further research into one of most important security issues of the twenty-first century.